Zandile Gumede ‘has every right to be nominated’ – ANC in KZN

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal says it won't oppose the nomination of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede at its provincial conference this weekend.

The party's long-awaited eThekwini regional conference gets under way on Friday.

Gumede's set to go head-to-head against eThekwini speaker Thabani Nyawose for the position of chairperson.

Gumede's nomination comes despite the cloud of corruption allegations hanging over her head.

The charges could see Gumede having to step aside soon after her election - as per ANC rules.

"She's a member of the ANC in good standing she is not suspended,” says provincial spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela.

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“She has every right to be nominated and elected. If she is elected well under circumstances, then she must step aside from her responsibilities up until her day in court is concluded, but we will have to wait for the conference to unfold to determine that.”

Ntombela says they're confident of holding a peaceful conference.

"If everything's on track we have launched branches where there were difficulties which have been attended to, so we don't foresee anything issues that might be a challenge at this conference."